Watermelon Benefits and Side Effects

According to research, the rind of watermelon is rich in an amino acid known as citrulline. So why is citrulline important for our body? Studies suggest that foods rich in citrulline can help improve the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.  A group of 40 prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals was subjected to a study, where they were given 6 g of watermelon extract for 6 weeks. At the end of the study, it was concluded that watermelon extract helped reduce blood pressure.

(Read more: High blood pressure)

Watermelon juice can serve as a better alternative to soft drinks, especially among athletes and people who indulge in workouts. Studies suggest that the citrulline content in watermelon can helps in reducing muscle soreness. In a clinical study, a group of athletes was given 500 ml of watermelon juice daily for a certain period of time. The study reported that the juice was very helpful in reducing muscle soreness within 24 hours.

(Read more: Muscle pain treatment)

Antioxidants are a class of bioactive compounds which play an important role in protecting us against various diseases. They scavenge the free radicals produced in the body due to various metabolic processes and environmental factors like stress. Excess of these free radicals is responsible for a lot of health problems ranging from premature ageing to the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and cancer.

Several studies are being conducted to evaluate the potential health benefits of lycopene, an effective antioxidant present in fruits such as watermelons, guavas, tomatoes etc. Clinical studies suggest that lycopene can reduce DNA  damage caused by the presence of excessive free radicals. This DNA damage is the underlying cause of the free radical associated damage. In a random controlled trial (RCT), various quantities of lycopene supplement were given to a group of 77 healthy people for a  period of 8 weeks. At the end of the study, it was concluded that lycopene does lead to a decrease in DNA oxidative damage.

(Read more: Antioxidant food sources)

Diabetes is a disease characterised by high blood sugar levels and symptoms like frequent urination, excessive hunger, and weight issues. In the long term, diabetes can also lead to complications such as cardiovascular disorders, kidney diseases etc. Hence it is essential to keep the blood sugar levels under control.

Consumption of lycopene-rich foods can reduce the glucose level in blood. In a study conducted on animal models, administration of lycopene-rich watermelon rind extract showed a reduction in the blood sugar levels. Another study indicates that watermelon seeds have certain proteins which are very effective in reducing the blood sugar levels.

Declining eyesight is a very common problem among older people. People above 60 years of age are also susceptible to a more serious problem called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Macular degeneration caused due to the damage to the macula, a portion near the center of the retina may lead to a complete loss of vision. Research suggests that consumption of carotenoid-rich foods along with vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin E can help prevent age-related eye problems. Watermelons are one of the richest sources of lycopene. They are also rich in vitamin A and contain a small amount of vitamin E. Therefore, regular intake of watermelon may help keep your eyes healthy along with preventing age-related eye problems.

(Read more: Preventing Macular degeneration)

A peptic ulcer is an inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach. Peptic ulcer mainly affects the stomach and rarely it affects the esophagus Although there are various causes for peptic ulcer, oxidative damage could be one the causes of this problem. In vivo studies suggest that as an antioxidant, lycopene can be effective against gastric ulcer. As per a study, oral administration of lycopene supplements can be beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of gastric ulcer.

However, this study was on lycopene instead of watermelons. More studies are still needed to confirm the safety and efficiency of watermelon lycopene for the treatment of peptic ulcer.

Kidneys are a vital organ in the body because it helps in filtering out waste from the blood. Various conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and urinary tract problems may adversely affect the kidneys. Untreated kidney problems could lead to chronic kidney disease and in extreme cases, kidney failure. Traditionally, watermelon has been known as a diuretic. This means that it can help remove the excess salts and toxins from the body and keep the kidneys healthy.

In a case study, a 60-year-old man who was at a later stage of the chronic kidney disease showed improvement upon regular consumption of watermelon. However, it was a single case and more studies are being conducted all over the world to understand the benefits of watermelon in preventing kidney diseases and improving kidney function.

The lycopene present in watermelons has numerous health benefits. A study was conducted on 251 women, expecting their first child, to understand the effects of lycopene consumption during pregnancy. The study focussed on two important complications that can arise in pregnant women -  preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation. Preeclampsia is the increase in blood pressure among pregnant women, observed mostly after 20 weeks of pregnancy which might lead to pre and post birth complications. Intrauterine growth retardation is a condition when the baby is not its normal weight during pregnancy. As per the study, oral administration of lycopene was found to reduce the chances of both preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation in first time pregnant women.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a brain disorder where the patient begins to lose their memory and gradually lose the ability to do simple chores. Although scientists are unable to fully understand what causes this disease, AD is generally associated with individual genetics and lifestyle. Researchers have found that the carotenoid lycopene could be effective in reducing the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. This is attributed to lycopene’s ability to decrease oxidative damage. Another study suggests that intake of foods rich in lycopene such as watermelons can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Several studies claim that lycopene present in watermelons can be used to treat various chronic diseases including cancer. It has been suggested that the antioxidant properties of lycopene make it an excellent anticancer agent. It reduces the cell and DNA damage caused by oxidative stress thereby preventing the development of cancer. Additionally, lycopene has also been found to reduce the proliferation of cancer cells and induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancerous cells. Watermelon lycopene has been reported to have inhibitory effects of several cancer cell lines including oesophagial cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.